Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Here is the Thomas Van Flein attempt to intimidate Shannyn Moore.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 4, 2009

On July 3rd, 2009, Governor Sarah Palin announced her intent to resign her gubernatorial duties and transfer the powers of Governor to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell.

Almost immediately afterwards, several unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory allegations that the "real" reasons for Governor Palin’s resignation stem from an alleged criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex. This canard was first floated by Democrat operatives in September 2008 during the national campaign and followed up by sympathetic Democratic writers.1. It was easily rebutted then as one of many fabrications about Sarah Palin. Just as power abhors a vacuum, modern journalism apparently abhors any type of due diligence and fact checking before scurrilous allegations are repeated as fact.

The history of the Wasilla Sports Complex is publicly known. Contrary to the insinuation that as Mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin "personally" oversaw bidding, construction, funding and accounting for the project (and thus, the allegation goes, "embezzled" from the project), the truth is far more mundane, and publicly available:

Curtis D. Menard was instrumental in spearheading the effort from conception to realization of the Wasilla Sports Complex. He directed the steering committee that was responsible for placing the issue before the voters of Wasilla and subsequently passed. He remained chairman of that committee through the design and construction of the facility. He was an ardent supporter and leader of civic, educational and athletic endeavors within the community as well as an advocate of the continued success of the Sports Center.

http://www.cityofwasilla.com/... Thus, as any basic fact checker would learn, the Mayor of Wasilla is not listed as "chair" of the Steering Committee. As Mayor, Governor Palin did appoint the committee, another fact readily verifiable, and she was publicly on record supporting the need for such a facility—as was most of Wasilla. "Wasilla weighs sports facility" published December 6, 2001 and available at http://www.adn.com/...While her public support of this project was deemed pivotal by many, the actual construction, bidding, financing and other day-to-day management of the project was not in her scope of authority as Mayor.

In addition, Sarah Palin was then criticized by some of not showing enough interest in the project. The Frontiersman reported that at a public meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, an opponent of the project "accused Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin of staying quiet about the arena because of her campaign for Lieutenant Governor." "Sports Arena Campaign gets Rolling" http://www.frontiersman.com/... (February 22, 2002).

Further, this was a highly public project, approved by the voters, and subject to public bid requirements. As described by the City of Wasilla itself:

The city uses competitive means for the purchase of all goods and services as required by Wasilla Municipal Code 5.08. The city also utilizes contracts and price agreements established by the State of Alaska, the Western States Contracting Alliance and other cooperatives or agencies when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City. The city believes in open, fair competition and strives to ensure that all vendors have equal opportunity to compete for city business.

The City of Wasilla operates under a decentralized purchasing system. This means purchasing decision up to $5,000 is made independently by the departments in the city (with the exception of Management Information System purchases). When the estimated amount for goods or services is between $5,000 and $9,999, departments are required to obtain three quotes prior to purchase. The departments may utilize the services of the Purchasing/Contracting Officer (PCO) for this process or may do it themselves; however, when this processed is selected, the PCO must sign off on the final product prior to purchasing or contracting.

For purchases beyond $10,000, the city requires all departments to contact the PCO who will utilize the city's bid process according to Wasilla Municipal Code 5.08. The bid process is initiated through either an Invitation to Bid (ITB), utilized when the city knows the specifications for the purchase; or a Request for Proposal (RFP), utilized when the exact specifications or process is unknown.

http://www.cityofwasilla.com/... Accordingly, the Sports Complex was publicly bid, in accordance with City and state law, and was accounted for in the time and manner all public projects are handled. The Mayor of Wasilla, be it Sarah Palin, or her successor, did not handle the funds, or the materials, for this project. To thus suggest she "embezzled" is as false as it is impossible.

The additional claim of "proof" of wrongdoing is the allegation that the Palins purchased building materials from Spenard Builders Supply—and that this company may have provided supplies for the Sports Complex. Prior to the construction of Lowe’s and Home Depot within the last few years in Wasilla, Spenard Builders Supply was the primary building supply company in Wasilla. It can hardly come as a surprise that it would sell materials to small homeowners or that it would also bid to supply commercial contracts. One would be hard pressed to find a home, cabin or outbuilding in the Mat-Su Valley in which Spenard Builders Supply did not sell at least some of the materials.

The Palins built their Lake Lucille house using Todd as the general contractor. Todd’s family owns a hardware and building supply business in Dillingham. He is no stranger to construction, or to rolling up his sleeves and doing work. The Palins used a combination of personal savings, equity from the sale of their prior home, and conventional bank financing to build the house—like millions of American families. The deeds of trust are recordable public records. Basic journalism and fact checking would confirm this.

The Sports Complex was built in 2002. It is now 2009. While the Federal Government has a process to follow, and that process sometimes takes time, we can categorically state that we are not aware of any "federal investigation" that has been "pending" for the last seven years. We are aware of no subpoenas on SBS regarding the Palins. We are aware that the Federal Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation have been helpful, responsive and diligent in prosecuting the email hacker and in cleaning up Alaska’s corrupt legislators. To be blunt—this "story" was alleged during the campaign, evaluated then by national media and deemed meritless. Nothing has changed.

To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as "fact" that Governor Palin resigned because she is "under federal investigation" for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, (In Shannyn's case this is completely untrue. All Shannyn said was that there were "rumors" of a criminal investigation. Which is completely true and verifiable.) we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation. This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law. The Alaska Constitution protects the right of free speech, while simultaneously holding those "responsible for the abuse of that right." Alaska Constitution Art. I, Sec. 5. http://ltgov.state.ak.us/... These falsehoods abuse the right to free speech; continuing to publish these falsehoods of criminal activity is reckless, done without any regard for the truth, and is actionable.

Thomas Van Flein, for Governor Sarah PalinClearly this is an attempt to frighten Shannyn and the other liberal bloggers into "shutting up and sitting down" to borrow a phrase from our recently resigned Governor. But that is kind of like when the Catholic church issues a statement telling everybody to avoid a movie because "it is bad", it backfires and the line for the movie usually ends up extending all of the way down the street.

And take it from me "real" Alaskan girls don't scare.

All Palin and Van Flein have done is show that they are scared of what Shannyn and the other liberal bloggers might reveal. So just like the photoshop picture on Celtic Diva's site they choose to exaggerate, or in this case invent, a reason to challenge an Alaskan blogger's credibility in the desperate hope it will shut them up.

Well Linda is still going forward with her e-mail request and Shannyn has "double dog dared" Van Flein to sue her, so how is that working out for you Palin supporters?

And by the way, when has ANY Governor used state money to threaten a mere blogger? And what does THAT say about Sarah Palin's state of mind? And how much do today's antics remind us of this CBS story about the McCain e-mails?

Palin is finished. And she can thrash and scream and lash out as much as she wants, it will not salvage her career or her reputation.

Now I think you said it was the IRS investigating the Housegate, right?

In any event, go pick up my comment. SM is still in clear even if there is NO investigation by FBI, IRS, DOJ whoever. She never said anything was fact, only rumor.

Constitution protects citizens from intrusion on their freedom of speech by government, NOT vice versa. Slander, Libel, so hard to prove and would also open up Palin's private areas to legal scrutiny which she cannot afford !

I think that Sarah and her ambulance chaser lawyer have been planning to threaten bloggers for a while now. Remember when the trollster "juju" mentioned lawsuits against bloggers?I think that they are just trying to scare bloggers but, it won't work. Can you imagine the Palin's having to prove in court any defamation suit? They would have to air their dirty laundry for all the world to see. Could be fun. I say: BRING IT ON!There are too many of us who support Shannyn, Linda, Gryph, and the rest of the bloggers who seek the truth.She just doesn't get it. Scare tactics don't work any more.

Wow, sounds like somebody doth protesteth too much!Most pols tend to remain indifferent to the rumor mill. Think Shannyn has struck a nerve. Can you imagine Obama threatening suits against all the people who have made scurrilous attacks? The Guv has skin of parchment.

So let's see, she wants to sue those evil and pesky bloggers, several newspapers and at least one TV station? Let's hope Sarah's sycophants continue to throw their money at this political failure or how else would she pay the lawyers to get in court against MSNBC? And what would be her case? "Your honor, they slandered my reputation and destroyed my political career!"? Oh Sarah, you're a gift that keeps on giving but sadly not in a good way.

The report says:(quoted from article)"There is absolutely no truth to those rumors that we're investigating her or getting ready to indict her," Special Agent Eric Gonzalez said in a phone interview Saturday. "It's just not true." He added that there was "no wiggle room" in his comments for any kind of inquiry.

Wow, carefully drafted lawyer statements are being released. (I'm a lawyer and I know how to draft that BS as well). Sarah resigns and lawyers up. Methinks the lady and her lawyers doth protest too much.

I'm sure Shannyn can lawyer up just as well. Put out a call for pro bono volunteers with First Amendment expertise, and they shall come.

This reminds me of the info in the VF article in which Palin wanted Schmidt to address the issue of Todd's 7 year relationship with the AIP by lying. Schmidt didn't bite, but Van Flein did. Palin is feeling the heat. People will continuing digging into this until they get answers. Why would Palin address it at all if there's nothing to it? Sometimes it's best not to say anything if you don't want the spotlight shining on you. Shannyn did not say anything specifically about the sports complex or the Palin home on MSNBC, and she made it crystal clear that the alleged allegations were ONLY rumors. If Palin decides to sue bloggers and teevee networks, she's going to need to hurry up and finish that book, and beginning touring the country and doing some word-salad speechifying.

"During the presidential campaign, McCain officials fretted about six or seven areas of personal and professional concern, according to a former official who helped investigate Palin's background after her rocky rollout.This official, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, said the governor's explanations for many subjects never won full acceptance from the campaign, but the stretched-thin McCain staff decided not to pick a fight with the vice presidential pick during the final march toward November."http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/05/palins-move-raises-big-qu_n_225808.html

The FBI reiterated that claim Saturday, telling the Los Angeles Times for a story Sunday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was not investigating Palin's activities as governor, a former mayor or in any other capacity.

"There is absolutely no truth to those rumors that we're investigating her or getting ready to indict her," Special Agent Eric Gonzalez, the bureau's Alaska spokesman, said.

Here's how I look at it. Sarah Palin and her mouthpiece lawyer have now made Shannyn MORE famous. By issuing this on the Fourth of July, when there is little hard news, EVERYONE knew about it. My husband called someone in another state last night, and has they were talking, I heard my husband say: "I know. Yes. She's in the other room listening to Shannyn Moore's radio program right now." So the person my husband spoke to knew about it!

Shannyn Moore can NOW have a book deal, her own syndicated show (radio or TV), or run for political office--all because a politician that most people do not like (except for 7% of the population) irrationally threatened her on the Fourth of July.

Thanks, Sarah Palin! No wonder lawyers are lined up to volunteer to take on this case from across the country.

Does that mean that Alaskans can sue Palin for lying about the bridge to nowhere?

Or about the plane she sold/did not sell on ebay?

Or several of the other untruths she has told?

If Palin wishes a political future, she really needs to get better advice.She is giving a wealth of material to be used against her in the future if she EVER chooses to run for office again.

Anyone of us, who take responsibilities for our OWN actions or words, would know to clean up our act and shut up. Palin just makes threats and blames others for her own actions and problems. She manufactures problems and then complains to the world how people are against her.

Above the fray Sarah, above the fray....can you imagine the blast from one of those two blackberries that Sarah sent to Van Flein yesterday, after she read all the blogs.

TOM, I WANT THIS ADDRESSED NOW....TODD AND HIS FISHING BUDDIES BUILT THAT HOUSE...PRESS RELEASE ASAP...PUT THIS TO REST TODAY. WE WILL SUE THE LIBERAL ELITE MEDIA AND SHANNYN MOORE.

Sarah just tacked on another $5K for Van Flein to send that ridiculous letter, and gave the MSM reason to investigate everything.

Honestly I don't know how any GOP candidate would even want to be associated with Palin at this point, much less have them campaign for her. She is political poison, unless they are in the absolute reddest of the red states.

the FBI isnt gonna say shit about shit. the comment came from a LOW level FBI dude. On another note, when I was a kid we had a hardware store that was way over 100 years old, dark dingy and awesome. Me and Dad would go get stuff for him to fix or build but to this day I cant put together anything that reqiures moe than a few screws.

Oh and if the IRS is doint the investigatin', then the FBI can say they aint....

I know! How about beginning by asking ourselves why in the world this particular rumor struck such a chord that it gets this response, complete with threats of defamation suits (I guess those were the same defamation suits the McCain campaign was "looking at" when the National Enquirer published its article on Sarah's extracurricular activities? Strangely, no defamation lawsuit ensued)?

Question number 2: why no threats of defamation lawsuits over all these long months about, taking just a random example, widely-disseminated publications suggesting a certain governor never birthed a certain baby, and repeatedly lied about it?

Question number 3: how many of us believe that this lawyer generated all that research on this specific issue in between the time Shannon mentioned the RUMORS late on Friday, July 3, and July 4, when this statement was issued just before she was to go on the airwaves? How many of us believe that a whole lot of lawyer time has not long been burned preparing against just this rumor? And why would that be?

Now, the language itself is just so rich, but let's just take one example:"The Sports Complex was built in 2002. It is now 2009. While the Federal Government has a process to follow, and that process sometimes takes time, we can categorically state that we are not aware of any 'federal investigation' that has been 'pending' for the last seven years. We are aware of no subpoenas on SBS regarding the Palins."

Seriously, Mr. VF, you think you're going to score points by "categorically stat[ing]" that you were not aware of a "'federal investigation' that has been 'pending' for the last seven years"? Because of course it makes so much sense to assume both that a federal investigation would have been launched the moment the building (with a certain deficit of publicly-available building permits being part of the rumored issue here) commenced? And that of course the "Feds" not only immediately would have been on the spot, but would have made the subject of their inquiry known right away to those about whom any rumored inquiries were being made.

Oh, and you are "aware of no subpoenas on SBS regarding the Palins." I can't help but noticing your magical shifting tenses, and that you here seem to refer to being aware of no currently effective subpoenas, not to mention having qualified that sentence to read subpeonas "regarding the Palins." I can certainly conceive of all kinds of intriguing other past, present, or future subpoenas which might issue. But again, seriously, Mr. Lawyer Guy, why don't you explain to the public, just for general informational purposes, how many grand jury targets receive notice of who all is getting subpoenas during the course of an investigatory grand jury? Then, just for general educative purposes, why don't you explain how prosecutors, investigators, and WITNESSES are bound not to speak of secret grand jury proceedings?

I think van flea went in to way to much detail about housegate if its not true, lol! And how many FBI agents are waiting around on a sat let alone a holiday?If it quacks like a duck...and looks like a duck...

There are so many 'gates.' It is good to have a response to one of them.Can we now go on to the others? This is the only way Palin wants to communicate.Please, take up religiongate soon.

How interesting that the local FBI spoke up so soon. What happened to statements like, we don't comment either way? Who can say there are no FBI that can be persuaded for political reasons? I was never under the impression that the corruption in Alaska could not include federal agents, as well as the local corrupt. Van Flein's letter is typical of tactics used by the rich. Palin will need a fortune to carry on that kind of aggressive litigation. We've seen it in action and the rich can file bogus suits that go on for years, they know they won't win court. It is all smoke and mirrors.

Don't you find it odd there were no private cease and desist letters before going public? What Van Flein did is the worst public relations. It's not good to give the impression you are extorting a politicians constituents. The RICO laws certainly apply to the Palins.

“McCain Adviser, Rick Davis, Lied About FBI Vetting Palin”http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/6123McCain and Palin still need each other. Neither want the whole story told. So McCain will have to say things supportive of Palin regardless of what he knows or would like to say.

At this time, it doesn't matter whether or not it is the Anchorage FBI that is investigating any 'gate.' They would not tell you if they were.

Who violated the Johnston family? They had their computer hacked. Is anyone investigating the story around her arrest? Wasilla has arson cases that are not solved, it is more then the church fire. What about those investigations? You never hear a word from authorities. No FBI in on the investigations?

I promised my family that I would STOP posting anything about Sarah Palin after today. And you know what, my 2 cents is no longer needed. She is toast. (I don't know if my 2 cents was ever truly needed, but I was trying to help with tiny PR tools whenever I could.)

Here's my parting syllogistic shot across the bow:

1) We know now from the CBS release of her campaign e-mails that Palin goes into conniption fits to lie about the truth (e.g., Todd's membership in the AIP was true and Palin desperately tried to lie about it by causing a maelstrom of a denial). Schmidt could barely stop her from "going rogue" on that one. (There are many more examples of this "maelstrom lying" to hide the truth biz; see Palingates for more.)

2) Palin is going into conniption fits about Housegate. Only enablers around her now, such as Van Flein.

From HuffPo article “Huffington Post Blogger in Palin’s Cross Hairs”For future reference material here is a comment 7-5-09 at 11:10 am made by kejia:If Palin read, she would do well to check out Citizen Media Law Project's Legal Guide:http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/

First, defamation laws differ for public officials,public figures, and private citizens. See http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/examples-public-and-private-figures

Palin is currently a public official. On July 26, 2009 she will be a public figure. She will not be a private figure. (I cannot imagine that anyone who loves attention so much would want to be a private figure. But the truism about having ones cake seems to be one of the many items in her black hole of ignorance.)

As a public official or figure, Palin will have to prove that Shannon Moore acted with actual malice. If she were a private figure, Palin would only have to prove that Moore acted negligently. http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/proving-fault-actual-malice-and-negligence

In any case, given the numerous links AKM listed above, it will be easy for Moore to claim "opinion and fair comment privileges" specifically:

--begin quote--Opinion and Fair Comment Privileges: Statements of opinion generally cannot support a cause of action for defamation, even if they are outrageous or widely off the mark.http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/defamation-privileges-and-defenses--end quote--

Also, Moore can claim a "wire service defence" since these accusations come from reputable news sources, also listed by AKMhttp://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/wire-service-defense

"we can categorically state that we are not aware of any "federal investigation" that has been "pending" for the last seven years. We are aware of no subpoenas on SBS regarding the Palins. We are aware that the Federal Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation have been helpful, responsive and diligent in prosecuting the email hacker and in cleaning up Alaska’s corrupt legislators."

OF COURSE YOU ARE NOT AWARE! And what if the investigation has been pending for only the last 7 months? They dont tell you in advance. The just show up with warrants and start seizing stuff...And why the mention of the "hacker"?

The attorney's letter deals mostly with information regarding the complex. If everybody was doing their job by the book, wonder how the complex ended up on land that did not have a clear title? Which has cost the good folks of Wasilla over $2M in attorney's fees; that's what I read. Why wouldn't the city order a title search and have a clear title in hand before proceeding with such a large investment? To build the complex before leaving office, maybe? How close in proximity is the complex and house?

As far as any bidding process, look at how TransCanada ended up being the only bid submitted. Manipulation is Palin's game. This is a woman who faked a pregnancy in front of everybody and now there is an abundance of photo evidence that proves she lied.

Poor little trollster juju. Sarah abandons her job with less hope of ever becoming POTUS, gave another one of her rambled speeches, and now she wants to go after free speech (you know, the one that protects us from them and not the other way around, like she thinks).Poor Sarah has gone from believing that she is a Queen to believing that thst she is GOD. Higher calling? Bullshit. But then again, since she was at the bottom of the barrel, being knee deep in crap is higher.

I'm still going with a divorce pending for Palin or my second choice that one of her daughters is knocked up again, but here's another choice:

Don't kid yourselves that SM saying it was rumours is going to be an adequate defence, especially now when Palin's political career has been destroyed and she's been forced to resign by SM and company. SM better get herself a good lawyer now and start thinking of a counter strategy IMO. When Americans start suing each other, as they are wont to do so often, look to where the money is for the eventual winner. And in this case also look to who's camp the governor is in.

If there's one thing that Palin doesn't want everybody to know it's that she faked a pregnancy. Therefore that must become a part of the pending lawsuit and for that to happen SM and her lawyer must be proactive on this.

Attached is my "thank you" sent yesterday to express gratitude, & smack down lies at same time http://tinyurl.com/q28wl5

She just doesn't stop, does she?? I love her expressions "smack down lies" I am sorry but the woman is nuts. Absolutely nuts. She can't stay out of the limelight, she craves it! I swear part of the reason she did this Friday afternoon was to take the MSM away from Michael Jackson - a love hate relationship with the MSM!

Re: "In Shannyn's case this is completely untrue. All Shannyn said was that there were "rumors" of a criminal investigation. Which is completely true and verifiable"

The other day I heard discussion at the watercooler about rumors that Shannyn has three nipples, so I posted them on Facebook. I figured the existance of those rumors is completely true and verifiable!

Your comments at the end of this posting are spot on. This sounds much like the result of the same thought processes around those emails Palin exchanged with the campaign manager (Vanity Fair article).

She should, but probably won't, ditch the attorney who supported her in this. Pathetic. So sad and unreal I find I can't stop reading about it. The more I learn, the sorrier it gets. For Sarah and her family.

About Me

This blog is dedicated to finding the truth, exposing the lies, and holding our politicians and leaders accountable when they fall far short of the promises that they have made to both my fellow Alaskans and the American people.